If someone were to tell me a few years ago that nurturing the urban farming sector is critical for Singapore’s food security, I would have shrugged him/her off. Our founding father’s mentality that with enough economic power you can purchase anything in this globalized world was ingrained into me, possibly through my years in the education system. I still remember fondly of those economic classes I took in JC, trying to crack jokes on my teacher was one thing, and globalization was another. Protectionism just seems so short sighted a thing to engage in, yet we are seeing US and China’s Trade War. Covid19 then poured fuel over the burning supply chain. In my twenty over years I have never imagined that one day I would be worrying about food, and yet here I am, writing this article because the supermarket near me has so many things out of stock. It got me thinking, maybe, just maybe, the concept of money can break down overnight. In fact, the concept of money is simply a belief of the majority.
A rough search on the web suggests that there are over 26 indoor vertical farms in 2018. Companies like Sustenir and Skygreens are pushing hard on what vertical farming’s output can be. I recently came across an Youtube video that showcased Skygreen’s patented vertical system, which seems like an brilliant adaptation of paternoster systems to grow plants. However, much work still needs to be done. According to SFA’s website, only 13% of all vegetables and 10% of all food, are locally produced. Looking on the bright side, technologies in the agritech sector is maturing. Hydroponics and aeroponics are becoming more mainstream. I believe that with enough public awareness, there will be more ingenious entrepreneurs joining this sector to quicken its pace.
I think the Singapore government saw this as well. A short term measure of $30M SGD is disbursed to improve production of existing local facilities. Experimental measures of leasing out 9 HDB carpark rooftops for agritech companies are also rolling out. On the slightly longer term, we have the planned opening of Sungei Kadut agritech park in 2025. All these points to a clear policy and mindset shift on food commodities: we cannot rely on anyone in times of dire need. We have done it with water, now it’s time for food.
